ALexandra Fuller: highs and lows

Don’t let’s go to the dogs tonight - an African childhood by Alexandra Fuller (2002)  is one of my all time best reads. The story line is compelling and the picture of life as Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe is both informative and fascinating. One of the strengths of the book is the way the author manages to write a very personal account of her family and her childhood with almost no personal reference to herself. One is carried along inside the author’s story, seeing life through her eyes. I really recommend this book.

.               Alexandra Fuller subsequently wrote the evocatively named Scribbling the cat (2004). The author returns to Zimbabwe from her current home in America and under the spell of an ex Rhodesian army soldier she travels through Zambia to Mozambique and back. Here the strengths of the first book fail. The absence of self that works so well in the child, is quite disconcerting in the adult. The author is integral to the story as she and “K” make their journey together but the end result is that of looking at a vibrant painting with one of the main characters blanked out with masking tape. Civil war, racism and inevitable violence are uncomfortable subjects which are treated with unflinching openness at times and glanced over at others. On the positive side, A.F.’s descriptions of Africa are stunning and fabulous in all their grime and glory.

Suzie

Title: The almost moon

‘The almost moon’ by Alice Sebold is the long awaited new novel by the author of ‘The Lovely Bones’; copies are available at Amberley, Hawarden and Greta Valley libraries.

Avril